Sample-case.



PATENTED SEPT. 5, 1905.

W. Y. DUNNINGP SAMPLE CASE.

APILIUATION FILED JAN. 20.1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I Wmmmmmmm 6H0: nan;

new ll. mum: ca Pwmumoommns, wasnmcmm u. c.

PATENTED SEPT. 5, 1906.

W. Y. DUNNING.

SAMPLE GASE.

APPLICATION FILED JA1L20. 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHBET 2.

allot/nu:

with each other.

XVILLIAH Y. DUN NlNG, OF NElV ORLEANS, L( )UISIANA.

SAMPLE-CASE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 5, 1905.

Application filed January 20,1905. Serial No. 242,026.

To all 111710111 it may IIHIIPI'IL.

Beit known that I, \VILLIAM Y. DUNNING, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented new and useful improvements in Sample-Cases, of which the following is a specification.

My invention pertains to sample-cases, more particularly sample-cases for shoes; and it has for one of its objects to provide a sample-case which in proportion to its size is possessed of large capacity and is adapted to carry shoes containing trees in such manner that there is no liability of the shoes being scratched or otherwise marred or deteriorated.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a sample-case which when placed in a slightly-inclined position is adapted to display a number of shoes to advantage; and another object is the provision of a samplecase embodying closure means calculated to preclude casual opening of the case and yet adapted to permit of the case being opened with facility when desired.

Other advantageous features of the invention will be fully understood from the following description and claims when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the sample-case constituting the present and preferred embodiment of my invention as the same appears when placed in a slightly-inclined position and used as a display-stand. Fig. 2 is a reduced longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the case with the opposite sides thereof closed. Fig. & is a transverse section of the case. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail section illustrating the fastener members of the closure means in engagement Fig. 6 is a similar View illustrating the bar and keeper of one closure means in engagement with each other, and Fig. 7 is a detail side elevation of the bar of one closure means removed.

Similar letters designate corresponding parts in all of the views of the drawings, referring to which A is the frame of my novel sample-case, which is preferably rectangular or oblong in form and for the sake of lightness and cheapness is preferably made of wood, though it might be made of any other material without involving departure from the scope of my invention. Said frame A is preferably covered with flannel or other soft material, as indicated by u, this in order to prevent it from marring the shoes with which it contacts and to enhance the iinished appearance of the case as a whole.

B and U are transverse rods or bars, preferably of wire, disposed transversely between the side bars of the frame A, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. By reference to Fig. 3 it will be noticed that the transverse rods B and C are staggered or arranged in a zigzag fashion, also that the rods (.1 are not arranged in the longitudinal centers of the spaces between the rods B. From this latter it necessarily follows that the rods B are not arranged in the same plane as the longitudinal centers of the spaces between the rods C for an important purpose presently set forth.

l) indicates a covering of flannel or other soft and flexible material which extends between and is connected at its ends to the end walls of the frame A and is also carried in a zigzag manner around the cross-bars (l B alternately, as best shown in Fig. 3. Said cover is preferably connected to the bars B and C through the medium of flannel or other soft strips E, which strips E serve the additional function of preventing the rods or bars from contacting with shoes contained in the compartments formed between opposite stretches of the said covering.

By virtue of the rods B being arranged out of the longitudinal center of the spaces between the rods G I. (3., outof the transverse plane of said longitudinal centers-and the rods C being arranged out of the transverse plane of the longitudinal centers of the spaces between the rods B it will be observed that the opposite stretches of the covering D are of different widths. This latter is highly advantageous, for the reason thatwhen the case is opened and placed in a slightly-inclined position the stretches of the covering 1) will rest horizontally and serve as supports for a number of shoes, while the comparatively wide stretches 0 will serve the same purpose as the risers of steps.

By reference to Fig. of the drawings it will be observed that the stretches and c of different widths occur at opposite sides of the case, and from this it follows that the case may be placed in the inclined position stated with either of its sides foremost, also that when the case is so placed it is adapted to display a considerable number of shoes to the best advantage after the manner illustrated in Fig. 1. \Yhen the case is employed in the manner stated as a display-stand, the shoes that were contained in the compartments at that side of the case not shown in Fig. 1 may obviously be grouped in front of the lower portion of the case, so as to present all ofthe shoes in a neat manner to the view and exami nation of a prospective purchaser.

F F are the opposite sides of the case, which sides are preferably of canvas or other flexible material, (indicated by Z.) lined with flannel or other soft material (indicated by a) and constitute parts of the closure means of the case. Each of the sides F is permanently attached to the frame A, along one longitudinal edge thereof, and is provided adjacent to its free longitudinal edge with a longitudinal pocket f. The pockets f of the sides F contain longitudinal bars g, of metal, wood, or other flexible material, and the said bars extend beyond the ends of the pockets and are respectively provided adjacent to one end with a notch g and adjacent to the opposite end with a female fastener member 7;. The notch g of each bar g is adapted to engage a complementary loop Z: on the main frame A when the end of the bar bearing. said notch is inserted in the loop, while the female fastening member 7b of each bar is adapted to receive and engage a complementary or male fastening member Z on the frame A. By virtue of this construction it will be observed that when the notched end of one bar 9 is placed in the complementary loop is and the fastening member A of the bar is engaged with the complementary member Z there is no.

liability of the side carrying the bar being casually opened, and yet when it is desired to gain access to the contents of the case the same may be readily accomplished by first disengaging the member /b from the member Z, then withdrawing the notched end of the bar from the loop is, and then swinging the side F to the open position illustrated in Fig. 1.

The sides F are made of flexible material in order to enable the same to accommodate themselves to the shape of shoes containing trees, and thereby avoid scratching or other marring of the shoes, and the bars g g are made flexible, so as to give to the shoes and enable the latter to rest in proper position in the compartments and between the walls of the compartments and the sides F.

It will be gathered from the foregoing that in proportion to its size my novel tray is adapted to hold a large number of shoes, also that the shoes contained in the case are disposed in separate compartments thereof, and hence there is no liability of frictional wear of the shoes against each other or frictional wear of any one of the shoes against the case. It will further be noticed that because of the case having compartments at opposite sides the case is of minimum thickness in proportion to its capacity, and hence a large number of the trays may be packed in a small trunk,

and that because of a separate compartment being provided for each shoe any one of the shoes may be removed from the case without disturbing the other shoes.

While my novel case is designed more especially to be carried with other cases in a trunk, the said case is complete in itself, and hence may be carried in the hand without liability of any of its contents being displaced or lost.

In addition to the practical advantages which 1 have ascribed to my novel case the same is simple and inexpensive in construction, as well as compact and light in weight, and is well adapted to withstand the usage to which sample-cases carried by traveling salesmen are ordinarily subjected.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. Asample-case having two series of compartments at opposite sides, the walls of which are flexible and adapted to give.

2. A sample-case having a series of compartments at one of its sides and a series of compartments at its opposite side; the walls of the two series of compartments beingformed of flexible material common to the two series.

3. A sample-case comprising a frame, staggered bars extending across the frame, and flexible material extending between the bars and serving in connection therewith to form compartments at opposite sides of the case.

A. A sample-case comprising a frame, staggered bars extending across the frame, flexible material extending between the bars and serving in connection therewith to form compartments at opposite sides of the case, and strips of flexible material arranged over the bars and connected to the first-mentioned material so as to isolate the bars from the interiors of the compartments.

5. A sample-case comprising a frame, two series of bars extending across the frame; the bars of one series being staggered with respect to the bars of the other series and being arranged out of the transverse plane of the longitudinal centers of the spaces between the latter bars, and material extending between the bars and serving in connection therewith to form compartments at opposite sides of the case.

6. A sample-case comprising a frame, and a piece of flexible material arranged in a Zigzag manner in the frame and forming compartments at opposite sides of the case.

7. A sample-case having a series of comsuitable means for detachably securing the flexible sides in their closed positions.

8. A sample-case comprising a frame, and flexible material arranged in a Zigzag manner in the frame and formingcompartments at opposite sides of the case, and also arranged to form one wall of each compartment at a less angle of inclination than the opposite \val-l thereof.

A sample-case comprising a frame, compartments arranged in the frame, a flexible side connected to the frame and having a pocket, a loop carried by the frame, a fastener member also carried by the frame, and a flexible bar arranged in and extending beyond the ends of the pocket in the flexible side and having one of its ends arranged to engage the loop on the frame and its other end provided with a fastener member complementary to that of the frame.

10. A sample-case comprisinga frame, compartments in the frame at opposite sides thereof, loops arranged on opposite edges of the frame, fastener members also arranged on opposite edges of the frame, flexible sides'connected to the frame and having pockets, and flexible bars arranged in and extending beyond the ends of the pockets and each having one of its ends arranged to engage a loop on the frame, and its other end provided with a fastener member complementary to one of those on the frame.

11. In a sample-case, the combination of a frame provided with a loop and a fastener member, a flexible side connected along one edge to the frame and having a longitudinal pocket adjacent to its opposite edge, and a bar arranged in and extending beyond the ends of the pocket, and having one of its ends arranged to engage the loop on the frame and its other end provided with a fastener member complementary to thatof the frame.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

\V l LL71 AM Y. .1) UN NIN G.

\Vitnesses:

R. J. Ma irri N 1oz, \V. F. MAoxY. 

